Bouzaid added to Ericsson crew for Volvo OR

by Annabel Merrison on 1 May 2006 With the addition of sail trimmer Richard Bouzaid (NZL), the Ericsson Racing Team lines up a strong crew for the coming legs.

Bouzaid brings extensive America's Cup and offshore sailing experience to the team. Ken Read (USA), Mark Rudiger (USA) and Ian 'Barney' Walker (AUS) also make their debuts onboard Ericsson for legs six and seven.

The Ericsson Racing Team is determined to keep on improving until the finish in Gothenburg. During the past weeks, the team has been working hard on improving every area, from sail design to crew organization. Signs of progress were shown during Saturday's in-port race. Today, the team announces the arrival of Richard Bouzaid (NZL), and the crew list for legs six and seven; a 400 nautical mile leg from Annapolis to New York, followed by a 3,200 nm leg to Portsmouth (UK).

We needed a world class trimmer and this is what we've got with Richard Bouzaid', comments Ericsson Racing Team skipper Neal McDonald. 'Richard has a great reputation, both as a trimmer and a helmsman. He has won the Whitbread and the America's Cup in 2003. I look forward to having him onboard.'

Bouzaid is well known for his sail trimming qualities. 'But as with all of the crew, I will do a bit of everything', he explains. 'The Ericsson Racing Team is very close to having good results. I hope that I can bring some new ideas onboard, and help to improve the team's performance. I know quite a few of the Ericsson sailors, and have already sailed with Richard Mason and Jason Carrington. It is great to be joining the Ericsson Racing Team now.'

Ken Read (USA), Mark Rudiger (USA) and Ian 'Barney' Walker (AUS) also make their debuts onboard Ericsson for legs six and seven. Ken Read is a multiple sailing world champion; he was the helmsman of Stars & Stripes during the past two America's Cups. Read will bring his local knowledge and sailing expertise to the team, whilst Ian Walker and Mark Rudiger add Volvo / Whitbread experience, having both sailed in two previous campaigns.

Both Ken Read and Mark Rudiger have been preparing for the coming legs over the past few days, whilst the rest of the team has been focusing on Saturday's in-port race. Ian Walker will join the team on Tuesday.

'We are very fortunate to have found such experienced and talented sailors', says Neal McDonald. 'It will be very good to have new eyes onboard. There isn't much time until the start of the next leg, and it will be my job to bring the best out of everyone onboard. Luckily, the leg to New York is very short. We have the possibility to re-adapt the watches before the Atlantic crossing if we think it is necessary.'


Ericsson crew list for legs six & seven:

Neal McDonald, skipper and watch captain
Mark Rudiger (USA), navigator
Tim Powell (GBR), watch captain
Damian Foxall (IRL)
David Rolfe (NZL)
Ian Walker (AUS)
Ken Read (USA)
Magnus Woxén (SWE)
Richard Bouzaid (NZL)
Richard Mason (NZL)